Medicines are often used to relieve the symptoms and prevent complications of mitral valve stenosis. Usually they are also prescribed after you have surgery to repair or replace your mitral valve.

Medicines to treat symptoms include:

• Diuretics. Diuretics ("water pills") are usually prescribed to reduce fluid retention and related swelling. They may also lower blood pressure in the upper left heart chamber (left atrium) and relieve breathing difficulties.

Medicines are used to treat complications. Complications may include:

• Irregular heartbeats. Digoxin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and other antiarrhythmics may be used to slow and regulate an irregular and sometimes rapid heartbeat (atrial fibrillation). Anticoagulants, also called blood thinners, are used to reduce the risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation.
• Infections. If you have an artificial valve, you may need to take antibiotics before you have certain dental or surgical procedures. The antibiotics help prevent an infection in your heart called endocarditis. You will likely take antibiotics after surgery to repair or replace a valve. If you have had rheumatic fever, you may take antibiotics to avoid getting it again.
• Blood clots. Anticoagulants can lower a person's risk of stroke by preventing the formation of potentially harmful blood clots. Anticoagulants are needed after surgery that repairs or replaces a valve. And they are used to prevent strokes in people with atrial fibrillation and in some people with heart failure.
• Heart failure. Diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) help lower blood pressure, reduce fluid buildup in the lungs, and therefore ease strain on the heart. Digoxin is used to slow a rapid and irregular heartbeat. It also increases the heart's ability to contract, which can increase cardiac output. Used with caution, beta-blockers may be given to ease the heart's workload by reducing the amount of blood the heart needs and by slowing the heart rate, which allows more time for blood to pass through the narrowed mitral valve.

What to think about

Talk with your doctor about the need for medicine. If you have used the now-banned, weight-loss medication fen-phen, there may be specific concerns about your heart valves.